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Size and light scattering enhancement of sea spray aerosol via condensing fatty acid vapor.

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Title: Size and light scattering enhancement of sea spray aerosol via condensing fatty acid vapor.
Authors: Xu, Minglan1 (AUTHOR), Tsona Tchinda, Narcisse1 (AUTHOR), Li, Siyang1,2 (AUTHOR) siyangli@hainanu.edu.cn, Du, Lin1 (AUTHOR) lindu@sdu.edu.cn
Source: Journal of Environmental Sciences (Elsevier). Jul2026, Vol. 165, p693-702. 10p.
Subject Terms: *Fatty acids, *Particle size distribution, Light scattering, Sea salt aerosols, Oleic acid, Surface coatings, Stearic acid
Abstract: • Vapor concentration controls the fatty acid coating thickness on the SSA surface. • Oleic acid forms a thicker organic coating than stearic acid on the SSA surface. • SSA coated with fatty acids exhibits a core-shell morphology. • Organic coating enhances the light scattering of SSA via an increase in size. Once sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles are emitted into the atmosphere, they tend to interact with organic compounds and form a certain amount of organic coating on their surfaces. Here, laboratory measurements were performed to investigate property changes between uncoated and coated SSA particles to assess the effect of organic coating on the surface chemistry and optical properties of nascent SSA. Stearic acid, oleic acid and mixed fatty acid were used as a proxy for coating materials and applied to aerosols produced by SSA generator. We found that the geometric mean diameter of SSA particles increased with increasing concentration of the fatty acid vapor due to higher heating temperatures, suggesting the formation of thicker coatings. Characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope demonstrated that the SSA surface was coated with an organic coating of fatty acids, which gave the SSA a core-shell morphology. Furthermore, optical measurements by photo-acoustic extinctiometer at 375 nm revealed significantly enhanced light scattering efficiency and complex refractive index from fatty acid-coated SSA particles. The current results suggest that the fatty acid coating changes the diameter and surface composition of SSA particles, which may further impact their optical properties. It is therefore necessary to accurately characterize the overall properties of SSA particles carrying organic coatings due to condensing fatty acid vapor to reveal their overall impact on climate. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:• Vapor concentration controls the fatty acid coating thickness on the SSA surface. • Oleic acid forms a thicker organic coating than stearic acid on the SSA surface. • SSA coated with fatty acids exhibits a core-shell morphology. • Organic coating enhances the light scattering of SSA via an increase in size. Once sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles are emitted into the atmosphere, they tend to interact with organic compounds and form a certain amount of organic coating on their surfaces. Here, laboratory measurements were performed to investigate property changes between uncoated and coated SSA particles to assess the effect of organic coating on the surface chemistry and optical properties of nascent SSA. Stearic acid, oleic acid and mixed fatty acid were used as a proxy for coating materials and applied to aerosols produced by SSA generator. We found that the geometric mean diameter of SSA particles increased with increasing concentration of the fatty acid vapor due to higher heating temperatures, suggesting the formation of thicker coatings. Characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope demonstrated that the SSA surface was coated with an organic coating of fatty acids, which gave the SSA a core-shell morphology. Furthermore, optical measurements by photo-acoustic extinctiometer at 375 nm revealed significantly enhanced light scattering efficiency and complex refractive index from fatty acid-coated SSA particles. The current results suggest that the fatty acid coating changes the diameter and surface composition of SSA particles, which may further impact their optical properties. It is therefore necessary to accurately characterize the overall properties of SSA particles carrying organic coatings due to condensing fatty acid vapor to reveal their overall impact on climate. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:10010742
DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.016